The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield returns on Friday, July 7 from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy an Art Market on Dunham Mall, live music in Persip Park, live art demonstrations, opening receptions, open studios, and a Swing Dance lesson in Palace Park with a live band! Also on July 7, the popular Free Kids’ Paint & Sip will return to the outdoor seating area in front of Hot Harry’s and the Marketplace Café (53 North Street). Other participating venues include the Beacon Cinema, Berkshire Art Center, Clock Tower Artists, Hot Plate Brewing Co., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Marchetti Headquarters, Methuselah Bar and Lounge, NUarts gallery + studios, ReDefine Community Center, Soda Chef, Soma’s Aromas, and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Click here to view our digital guided tour of all events!
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., in partnership with First Fridays Artswalk and Christine Bilé, will be curating musical performers for Persip Park at 175 North Street during the First Fridays Artswalk through October 2023.
On Friday, July 7, from 5 to 6 pm at Persip Park, ambassadors from the Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program (R.O.P.E) and individuals from Choices Mentoring Initiative (CMI) will share the stage with each performing a 30 minute set. R.O.P.E. will provide musical performances in the form of song, dance, and other music-related art forms, and the Choices Mentoring Initiative will provide a musical performance featuring drumming.
R.O.P.E. is a mentoring program for young women of color identifying as female or non-binary. The mission of R.O.P.E. is to celebrate and honor their entry into adulthood and provide them with skills and knowledge that they need to be successful, independent, and responsible young adults. R.O.P.E. is designed to help participants discover their inner voice and support all components of personal development. Choices Mentoring Initiative (CMI) seeks to build a relationship that connects the youth to themselves, their families, schools, and the community with skills learned to increase the feeling of inclusion, value, mutual respect, and self-identity.
Star nii, a professional percussionist and composer from Accra, Ghanna, will close out the night with two 1-hour Afrobeats sets from 6 to 7 pm and 7 to 8 pm at Persip Park.
Victor Nii Amoo, known as Star nii, is a multi-instrumentalist who was drawn to the alluring power of sound and rhythm at the age of 9. Star nii has a great vocabulary of rhythms and performs and hosts workshops locally and internationally.
At Palace Park, next to 122 North Street, enjoy live jazz with the Don Mikkelsen Quartet and a free Swing Dance lesson led by Rushelle Bowie. This event is presented by the Wandering Dance Society, Mill Town Foundation, Jacob’s Pillow, and Berkshires Jazz.
5:00-5:30 pm Opening Jazz Set by the Don Mikkelsen Quartet
5:30-6:30 pm Swing Dance Lesson (no band)
5:30-6:00 pm Beginner Swing Lesson
6:00-6:30 pm Intermediate Swing Lesson (beginners welcome to stay)
6:30-7:30 pm Open Dance with the Don Mikkelsen Quartet
At Sotille Park, 200 North Street, Jim Horsford will be hosting a free live pottery demonstration from 5 to 8 pm where he will be inviting individuals to help him make pots on the potter’s wheel. Jim spent 30 years as an art teacher at Herberg Middle School from 1978 to 2008. Currently, he teaches pottery on the wheel at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts where he has been since 2000.
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Friday, July 7, 5 to 7 pm, in the outdoor seating area next to Hot Harry’s and in front of the Marketplace Cafe (53 North Street).
This free summer-themed Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, instruction, snacks, and juice will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), in partnership with First Fridays Artswalk and CozQuest Creative, will be curating an Art Market on Dunham Mall (100 North Street) on the first Friday from 5 to 8 pm through October 2023. The July 7 Art Market will feature local artists, artisans, and makers, plus Momma Lo’s BBQ food truck. Vendors are subject to change.
The Clock Tower Artists at 75 South Church Street will host an open studios event in their beautiful and ever-expanding space on Friday, July 7, and every First Friday of the month through December, from 5 to 8 pm. The artists hosting open studios at the Clock Tower on July 7 are Deborah H. Carter, Joanie Colfi, Marion H. Grant, Stacey Healy, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, and Stefanie Weber.
The Berkshire Art Center (BAC), 141 North Street, will continue to offer Free Family Drop-Ins on the First Friday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, year-round. For the month of July, The Berkshire Art Center will also feature two window displays: “Inside And Out” by artist Diane Firtell and “Hot of the Mess” by Deborah H. Carter. There will be an opening reception with Diane and Deborah on Friday, July 7 from 5 to 8 pm during the First Fridays Artswalk.
In “Inside And Out”, Diane Firtell will exhibit a wide assortment of her work, representing many of the many mediums she works in. All the work originating from her photography.
Deborah H. Carter is a multimedia artist from Lenox, MA who creates upcycled, sustainable wearable art. Her couture pieces are constructed from post-consumer waste such as food packaging, wine corks, cardboard, books, wire, plastic, and other discarded items and thrifted wares. She manipulates the color, shape, and texture of her materials in a way that compels us to question our assumptions of beauty and worth, and ultimately reconsider our habits and attitudes about waste and consumerism.
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renee Avenue, will present CATA’s I Am a Part of Art through August 23, 2023. Community Access to the Arts’ Annual Art Show I Am a Part of Art features more than 150 paintings and drawings by artists with disabilities – the culmination of hundreds of CATA visual arts workshops serving teens, adults, and elders with disabilities.
The Guild of Berkshire Artists is partnering with Hot Plate Brewing Co. to showcase small to medium-sized works from member artists during the 2023 First Fridays Artswalks. In July, Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street, will present works by artist Emily Bunnell. Emily paints elements and scenes found in nature with a designer’s eye. Her mediums are acrylic, gouache, pencil, and digital. There will be an opening reception with Emily during the First Friday Artswalk on July 7 from 5 to 8 pm. Emily’s work will remain on display through the end of July. Musician Dave Brown will perform a solo set from 7 to 10 pm on Friday, July 7 in celebration of this new collaboration.
The Beacon Cinema Lobby, at 57 North Street, will feature Strike a Memory: Imagery & Illustration in Berkshire Matchbooks, an art exhibit of vintage Berkshire matchbooks dating from the 1950s-1980s from July 1 through July 31. The exhibit is curated by local artist Sara Paul of Shire Prints and features vintage matchbooks with famous landmarks in Lenox, Pittsfield, Great Barrington, and other Berkshire towns. The matchbooks have been scanned at a high resolution and printed many times greater than their size so that viewers can get an up-close look at matchbook art in its full color, detail, and splendor. Visitors may stop by and meet Sara during the First Friday Artswalk on July 7 from 5 to 8 pm.
ReDefine Community Center, 5 Melville Street, will feature 4 local artists for one night only during the July 7 First Fridays Artswalk. Artists are Matt Brinton, Nicole Fecteau, Cody Mitchell, and Hannah Mitchell. Stop by from 5 to 8 pm on July 7 to view their art and chat with them about their artistic process. Artworks include graphite and pastel drawings, mixed media, oil and acrylic paintings, and photography.
On Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm, Soma’s Aromas, 81 East Street, will host a reception with in-house author/maker, Tondalea Brady. Tondalea is a local mom, wife, and author. She will be signing copies of her first book “Max and Gus Send Mom to Time-out”. Soma also consigns with over 50 local makers and artists. Stop in to view local art, purchase a signed book, and meet Tondalea!
On Friday, July 7 from 5 to 7 pm, Marchetti Headquarters, 314 North Street, will present EYE CANDY by Jesse Tobin McCauley at an opening reception with the artist. Jesse is known for her vibrant abstractions and large-scale murals that combine geometric shapes, mark making, and a playful use of a modern palette. She hopes everyone smiles and feels a sense of happiness that is evoked by the flood of fresh color interacting on the canvas.
On Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm, NUarts gallery + studios, 311 North Street, will open their Hall Gallery featuring the works of resident artists including Richard Britell, Kathy Gideon, Brent Ridge, Joan Rooks, Marney Schorr, and Laura Thompson.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue, will present photography by Rick Popham, July 7 through July 23, in a show entitled Photographs of Berkshire County. There will be a reception with the artist on Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm, as part of First Fridays Artswalk.
The Tartell Gallery at Methuselah Bar and Lounge, 391 North Street, presents Boss Themes/ Alien Communication – a selection of paintings by Edward Pelkey done between July 2022 and July 2023.
Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature a reception with the artist for SILVER LIGHT: Contemporary Paintings by Joanie Ciolfi, on Friday, July 7 from 5 to 8 pm. This collection of work showcases Joanie’s paintings that capture moments of stunning color and light.
Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone. Link to the digital tour for July: https://pocketsights.com/tours/tour/Pittsfield-July-7-First-Fridays-Artswalk-in-Pittsfield-MA-8493
First Fridays Artswalk is supported in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, and a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
This program is also supported in part by The Feigenbaum Foundation as well as a grant awarded by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Arts Build Community initiative with funding from the Barr Foundation.
Event Highlights (South to North):
Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield
175 Wendell Avenue
Photographs of Berkshire County
Rick Popham
Opening Reception: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Artists at the Clock Tower
75 South Church Street, Third Floor
Deborah H. Carter, Joanie Colfi, Marion H. Grant, Stacey Healy, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, and Stefanie Weber
Open Studios: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Soma’s Aromas
81 East Street
Author Tondalea Brady
“Max and Gus Send Mom to Time-out”
Reception and Book Signing: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Free Drop-in Kids’ Paint & Sip
Outdoor seating area next to Hot Harry’s and in front of the Marketplace Cafe (53 North Street)
Friday, July 7, 5 to 7 pm
Beacon Cinema Lobby
57 North Street
Strike a Memory: Imagery & Illustration in Berkshire Matchbooks, an art exhibit of vintage Berkshire matchbooks dating from the 1950s-1980s
Sara Paul of Shire Prints
Meet the artist on Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Hot Plate Brewing Co.
1 School Street
The Guild of Berkshire Artists presents paintings by Emily Bunnell
Opening Reception: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Live Music with Dave Brown: Friday, July 7, 7 to 10 pm
Art Market on Dunham Mall
Artists, Artisans, Local-makers, and Food Vendors
Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
NEW Wheat Paste Mural, 26 Dunham Mall
Teens from Boys & Girls Club and Huck Elling
NEW Brick Quilt Mural on Renne Avenue
Back of 122 North Street
Huck Elling
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
28 Renne Avenue
CATA’s Annual Art Show I Am a Part of Art
On View: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Wandering Dance Society at Palace Park, 122 North Street
Presented by the Mill Town Foundation
5:00-5:30 pm Opening Jazz Set by the Don Mikkelsen Quartet
5:30-6:30 pm Swing Dance Lesson (no band)
5:30-6:00 pm Beginner Swing Lesson
6:00-6:30 pm Intermediate Swing Lesson (beginners welcome to stay)
6:30-7:30 pm Open Dance with the Don Mikkelsen Quartet
Berkshire Art Center/Brothership Building
141 North Street
“Inside And Out” by Diane Firtell
Window Display (Small Window)
“Hot of the Mess” by Deborah Carter
Window Display (Large Window)
Reception with Diane Firtell and Deborah Carter: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Free Family Art Making Drop-In: Friday, July 7, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Soda Chef
161 North Street
Nicole March Art
Window Display
Persip Park
175 North Street
Live music on Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
5-6 pm: R.O.P.E and Choices Mentoring Initiative
6-8 pm: Star nii – Afrobeats
Sotille Park
200 North Street
Free, live and interactive Pottery Demonstration with Jim Horsford
Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
ReDefine Community Center
5 Melville Street
Matt Brinton, Nicole Fecteau, Cody Mitchell, and Hannah Mitchell
On view one night only!
Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm: View art and chat with the artists about their artistic process. Live music from Switchback!
Hotel on North
297 North Street
SILVER LIGHT: Contemporary Paintings by Joanie Ciolfi
Reception: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
NUarts gallery + studios
311 North Street
Tour NUarts’ Hall Gallery featuring the works of resident artists: Richard Britell, Kathy Gideon, Brent Ridge, Joan Rooks, Marney Schorr, and Laura Thompson
On View: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm
Marchetti Headquarters
314 North Street
EYE CANDY
Jesse Tobin McCauley
Opening Reception: Friday, July 7, 5 to 7 pm
Methuselah Bar and Lounge
391 North Street
Boss Themes/ Alien Communication
Edward Pelkey
On View: Friday, July 7, 5 to 8 pm